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Envirobytes - Archive
ENVIROBYTES, A SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND EVENTS FOR WEEKS ENDING JUNE 1, 2012 TO JUNE 29, 2012
EPA WELCOMES PHILADELPHIA AS ITS NEWEST GREEN POWER PARTNER
On June 20, EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin announced that Philadelphia has become a green power community partner by committing to buy green power in amounts that meet or exceed EPA's Green Power Community purchase requirements. Purchasing green power reduces sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and protects public health. For more information, go to www.epa.gov/greenpower.
EPA PROPOSES CLEAN AIR STANDARDS TO CURTAIL SOOT POLLUTION AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
On June 15, EPA proposed updating its national air quality standards to reduce harmful fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from the current annual standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter, to within 12 micrograms to 13 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA will accept public comment for 63 days after the proposed standards are published in the Federal Register and will issue the final standards by Dec. 14. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/pm.
10 RECIPIENTS RECEIVE GREEN STREETS-GREEN JOBS-GREEN TOWNS GRANTS TO STEM STORMWATER RUNOFF, PROVIDE GREEN JOBS
On June 27, EPA, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment announced $376,000 in Green Streets-Green Jobs-Green Towns grants to 10 recipients from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to fund green infrastructure projects and green jobs:
Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. (Baltimore City) - $34,960
Southeast Community Development Corporation (Baltimore City) - $67,100
Housing Initiative Partnership (Cecil County, Md.) - $35,000
Town of Delmar (Wicomico County, Md.) - $18,950
Town of Forest Heights (Prince George’s County, Md.) - $55,000
Water Environment Federation, Maryland - $10,000
Town of Ashland, Virginia - $25,000
Matthews County, Virginia -, $85,000
City of Romney, West Virginia - $25,000
American Rivers, Pennsylvania - $20,000
For more information, visit: www.cbtrust.org. 
Click to watch highlights from the event and view pictures.
EPA OFFERS HOT TIPS FOR A COOL SUMMER
EPA recommends a list of hot tips that can help save money, cut energy costs and protect public health during the summer months, including:
Preventing skin cancer and being SunWise: https://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html
Checking the water at the beach.: http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/whereyoulive_state.cfm
Protecting yourself with insect repellents https://epa.gov/pesticides/insect/safe.htm
For more tips, go to: Hot tips for a cool summer.
EPA UPDATES CLEAN AIR STANDARDS FOR PETROLEUM REFINERY FLARES, PROCESS HEATER EMISSIONS
On June 1, EPA issued final standards for petroleum refineries to cut their refinery flare nitrogen oxide pollution and their process heater emissions. In addition, the final standards will encourage refineries to recycle fuel gas to power equipment, reduce the emission compounds that form fine particle pollution and ground-level ozone, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 2 million tons per year. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html.
EPA TO UPDATE 2010 CEMENT STANDARDS AND EXTEND COMPLIANCE DATE
On June 25, EPA proposed to update the 2010 Portland cement manufacturing industry air standards with stricter emission reductions and extend the compliance date for existing kilns from September 2013 to September 2015, adding more time for industry to comply. EPA will accept comment on the proposed changes for 30 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register and will hold a public hearing if requested. EPA will finalize the rule by Dec. 20. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html.
EPA ANNOUNCES NEW APPROACH TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES PLAN AND MANAGE STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER RUNOFF
On June 12, EPA issued a new Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework to help localities develop a more prioritized management approach to more effectively control storm and wastewater pollution and prevent releases of untreated sewage overflows into the nation’s waterways. For more information, go to: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/integratedplans.cfm.
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Algae: A Slimy Solution to Improving Baltimore Harbor’s Water Quality
Algae blooms are being experimented on as part of an initiative to improve Baltimore Harbor’s water quality and make the harbor cleaner and greener. Share your ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/.
Saving Water and Energy – the Trickle Down Effect on Your Wallet
Wastewater treatment plants must try to reduce their facilities’ energy costs and ultimately their carbon footprints. Find out how they do this. Share your ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/.
